GATCHALIAN CALLS FOR FULL ATTENDANCE IN UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION

ACTING Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian called on all senators to attend the special session on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 to act on urgent pending measures and confirm the appointments of five military generals.

“For me, it is important that we approve all of these bills and not waste this special session because this is our opportunity to finish everything that has been pending, which is why it’s important for our senators to attend,” he said in an interview on Tuesday, June 16. 

Gatchalian urged senators from both the majority and minority blocs to participate in the one-day special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

“I issued a statement encouraging all senators to attend, regardless of whether they are part of the majority or minority. These are very important matters, especially concerning the Commission on Appointments (CA), as we have already surpassed the time allotted for these agenda,” he said.

He added that any delay in confirming the appointments of the five military generals could hinder the performance of their official duties.

Gatchalian expressed confidence that the scheduled proceedings will push forward effectively following coordination with the leadership from the House of Representatives.

 “Even in the CA, we have members from the House; I spoke with the Speaker over the last few days, and they are committed to coming, so they will arrive at the CA in full force,” he said.

Gatchalian said the session will begin at 9 a.m., recess at 11 a.m. for the Commission on Appointments (CA) meeting, and resume in the afternoon before final adjournment between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau).